The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-06-30
NOTES FROM A DIARY,
LETTER NO. 2

The 9th o. V. C., all but Co. l., had
joined Fremont's army in Shenandoah
Valley We received orders June 10Th,
10 guard wagon train of supplies for
the army. to Strasburg. About noon
we were met by one of Fremont's
scouts, who told us that a force of about
10 rebs were In ambush about six miles
ahead of US, with the object of captur.
ing our wagon train. We dispatched
All orderly to Col McGrata, who was
moving his regiment from Moorfield
TO Strasburg, and was about two or
three miles in the rear. The train was
halted until the regiment came up,
when our Co. was ordered to take the
advance. When we came to the place
designated by the scout we found
abundant evidence that considerable
of force had been there, but no ene-
my was found. At Strasburg we join
Ell our regiment and found the army
just going into camp. On June 2lst
u squad of men were detailed from our
Reg't to act as guard for wagon train
sent out after forage. The enemy cap
tured all the wagons and Is of our men
AS soon as this was known in camp,
Captains Barrett, Bowe and Barber
took about so men from the 9th Caval-
ry. and started In pursuit. +. Austin,
of Co. l., with men took the advance
and soon came up with the rebs, who
turned and charged upon our men, who
stood their ground, and Austin bro,t
down a rebel officer with blow from
his sabre. We had one man killed
aud Capt. Bowe's horse was shot under
him. Three of the enemy were killed
and six taken prisoners. Here in the
shenandoah Valley we began to real
lie the terrible ravages of war. Planta-
tions were deserted, fences and crops
destroyed, and in many cases build
iDgs burned. A squad of our men
were detailed to go to Winchester to
get horses for the army. On their re-
turn many of their horses had changed
color one soldier who went with q
white horse came back riding a splen-
fdid coal black charger, but Uncle
SIMS agent thought he had been over
reached in the exchange of horses and
procured an order compelling the men
10 trade back again, much to their
disgust. June %, rumors reached US
that Jackson's army was advancing
by way of Woodstock. A hundred
men were detailed to go to Woodstock
and ascertain the truth or falsity of
from camp we were fired upon by q
squad OF about 25 rebs. They were
we'll mounted, aud after an exciting
chase Of about five miles they made
good their escape. Our entire force in
the Valley at this time was reported to
be about so 600 men, with 200 pieces of
artillery. About the 1st of July we
moved to MiddletOwn, where we were
halted for few days. While at Stras-
burg we first realized what was meant
by war prices, by paying 40 cents per
pound for butter, 50 cents for pound
of cheese, and 25 cents for loaf of
bread. July 10, we received orders to
march to Sperryville. AS our Co. was
preparing to march a sad accident
hapL eDed, which resulted in the death
of David Potter, a bugler of Co. l.. AS
hemounted his horse his carbine was
accidentally discharged, the ball enter.
ing his leg above the knee and passing
downward shatteriDg the knee joint in
terrible manner. He was taken to
the hospital at Winchester, where his
leg was amputaLed he lived but three
or four days after the operation. At
Lura our Regt. was halted and Co. l.
detached and sent on to Sperryville.
Here we were detailed wit b so men to
report as Provost guard at Gen.
SGeinwer's headquarters, at Thornton
Gap. The forces left at Lura had some
lively skirmishes with the enemy:
five of the most prominent citizens of
Lura were arrested and sent to Thorn
ton Gap, to be held as hostages for the
good behavior of the Inhabitants of
the town. July II, while out with a
squad of men, l.. II. Morris, of onr
Co., was shot through the foot by an
accidental discharge of his carbine
w. h. B.